Bat vs. ball India's three musketeers take on Australia's speed, spin Click here for more on this story Posted: Thursday June 03, 1999 09:06 PM   Glenn McGrath has the best bowling statistics of the World Cup. Clive Mason/Allsport LONDON (AP) -- The battle lines are clearly drawn: one side will be the reinvigorated Glenn McGrath and in-form Shane Warne. On the other side, facing the Aussie bowlers, will be India's three batting musketeers of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Saurav Ganguly The classic bat-and-ball battle at the Oval on Friday in the first Super Six match of the World Cup is one that neither Australia nor India can afford to lose. Defeat will almost certainly stop one team's progress to the semifinal. "If we can keep on our roll and keep the momentum going in this game it could set us up for the next match and the match against South Africa," said McGrath, who is one of the world's premier strike bowlers. McGrath has the best bowling figures of this World Cup so far with his return of five for 14 against the West Indies that propelled Australia into the Super Six. Warne took three for 11 in that match and his nine wickets in the tournament are second only to McGrath in the Australian team. India is banking on its inspired batting that has gone from strength to strength since the team's shocking three-run defeat to Zimbabwe. Fans and experts alike have been enthralled by the skills of Dravid, Ganguly and Tendulkar, the only centurions of the 1999 World Cup. Tendulkar is due for a big score following lukewarm performances in the aftermath of his 140 not out against Kenya. Dravid with 369 runs and Ganguly with 342 are the highest run getters of the tournament. Ganguly has the highest score of the tournament, 183 against Sri Lanka. "I am really looking forward to the challenge of bowling to Sachin. It would be good to pick him up," said McGrath. "I enjoy bowling to the best batsman in the world." The lanky fast bowler, whose performance as first change was mediocre at the start of the tournament, played havoc when given the new ball against the West Indies. Neither Australia nor India has carried any points into the Super Six from the preliminary round because they lost to other qualifiers. That means they have to win all three matches in this round to reach the semifinals. A mathematical possibility exists for them to progress without a victory Friday, but that will require other teams to lose games. Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad noted that Australia hasn't been batting well. "But that doesn't mean they can be beaten easily," he said. "The only psychological advantage we have is that we have won our last three games." India's main concern has been its bowling, but that's coming round too with new ball bowler Debashish Mohanty shining in India's victory against England, taking four for 56. "The batters have done well. The bowlers have begun to deliver the goods. Hopefully the combination of batting and bowling will fetch us good results," said Indian paceman Javagal Srinath. India also is in a dilemma about opening with low-scorer Sadagopan Ramesh when it has Tendulkar, a successful opener in the past, coming in down the order. However, Gaekwad and captain Mohammed Azharuddin have not decided the team yet, saying it will depend on the weather on Friday. A bright sunny day would mean more runs and India will prefer to add a batsman. But India is expected to drop Ramesh in favor of a bowler if the conditions are overcast. Tendulkar is known to be harsh against Australian bowlers, especially against Warne, adopting the strategy that offense is the best form of defense. He also has scored centuries in each of his last three matches against Australia. Asked to comment how he expects the Warne-Tendulkar clash to go, Azharuddin said: "Hopefully in our favor." Tendulkar "is the best player in the world and the wickets are much easier in England, where there is not much turn." "Indian players have always been good against spinners. Warne is a great bowler and I respect him, but we have played him better than other teams," Azharuddin said. Statistically, Australia's chances are rated better. In their last six World Cup encounters, Australia has beaten India four times, twice by one run in 1987-88 and 1996. It remains the smallest victory margin in the tournament's history.   Related information Stories Radar gun to record fast bowlers McGrath drives Australia to controversial win India beats England to qualify for Super Six Multimedia Australia and India ready for their classic bat-and-ball battle on Friday.   • Start(565 K .MOV) Glenn McGrath is looking forward to bowling to the best batsman in the world. (118 K) Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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